Method and apparatus for supporting an object from a channel

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for supporting an object from a channel. The apparatus is comprised of a channel clip, formed of a flexible material, whose length is much greater than its width and which is adapted to be applied to a channel. The channel clip includes a receiving loop and a pair of arms extending from the respective sides of the loop. The arms extend in the same direction and are spaced from each other. A retaining loop extends from each arm. The retaining loops lie in essentially parallel planes, and the outer perimeter of the retaining loops conforms generally in shape to a surface which defines the channel. The channel clip is used to support an object from a channel by first inserting the object into the receiving loop. The receiving loops are then pressed together and aligned such that planes within which the receiving loops lie are parallel with the channel. The retaining loops are inserted into the channel after which the channel clip is rotated about 90° to secure the retaining loops in the channel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to support apparatus, and specificallyto a channel clip for supporting a cable or the like from a channel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a particular electrostatographic reproduction machine, it wasdiscovered that certain electrical cables in the vicinity of a toningstation needed further support than they already had. A simple solutionto this requirement was desired without having to modify the existingtoning station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for supporting anobject from a channel. The apparatus is comprised of a channel clip,formed of a flexible material, whose length is much greater than itswidth and which is adapted to be applied to a channel. The channel clipincludes a receiving loop and a pair of arms extending from therespective sides of the loop. The arms extend in the same direction andare spaced from each other. A retaining loop extends from each arm. Theretaining loops lie in essentially parallel planes, and the outerperimeter of the retaining loops conforms generally in shape to thesurface which defines the channel.

The channel clip is used to support an object from a channel by firstinserting the object into the receiving loop. The receiving loops arethen pressed together and aligned such that planes within which thereceiving loops lie are parallel with the channel. The retaining loopsare inserted into the channel after which the channel clip is rotatedabout 90° to secure the retaining loops in the channel.

Although this invention was made to solve a particular problem in aparticular image forming apparatus, it is believed to have generalapplication to support cables or other similar structure in othercomparable apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention presented below, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a toning station for anelectrostatographic apparatus in which the present invention isutilized.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a housing of the toning station shownin FIG. 1A with channel clips attached thereto.

FIG. 1C is a side schematic illustrating a channel clip inserted in achannel defined by the housing.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a channel clip.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the channel clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE

With reference to FIG. 1, a toning station designated generally by thereference numeral 14, includes a housing 18, which defines a channel 16.Channel clips 10, attached to channel 16, support electrical cables 12.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the housing of the toning station ofFIG. 1A. Housing 18 defines four channels 16 which run the entire lengthof the housing. The ends of the channels are used to receiveself-tapping screws which secure end plates (not shown) to the housing.Channel clips 10 are again shown secured into channel 16. The channelclips support electrical cable 12.

The channel clip and its method of use will be described in furtherdetail with reference to FIGS. 1C, 2 and 3. The channel clip is formedof a single piece of flexible material, preferably a wire formed ofspring steel. Alternatively, the channel clip may be made of plastic.The channel clip includes a cable receiving loop 20 for supporting theelectric cable. As may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the loop is non-planar.A pair of arms 22 extend from the cable receiving loop. The arms extendin the same direction and are spaced apart such that cable 12 can beinserted between the two arms. Extending from each arm is a retainingloop 26. The retaining loops lie in essentially parallel planes. As canbe seen in FIG. 1C, the outer perimeter of each retaining loopsubstantially corresponds in shape to that surface of housing 18 whichdefines channel 16.

The channel clip 10 is used in the following way. An electric cable 12,which is to be supported, is inserted between retaining loops 26. Thecable is guided past arms 22 and inserted into cable receiving loop 20.To insert the channel clip into the channel the retaining loops 26 arepressed together. The channel clip is then oriented proximate channel 16such that the planes in which the retaining loops lie are essentiallyparallel with the channel. Retaining loops 26 are then inserted into thechannel. The channel clip is next rotated approximately 90 degrees aboutan axis which is perpendicular to channel 16. Retaining loops 26 willspread back apart due to the flexibility of the material from which thechannel clip is made. In this position, channel clip 10 can not beremoved from channel 16.

The present invention is not limited to supporting an electrical cablefrom a channel in a toning station. It may be used to provide supportfor other objects from an available channel.

We claim:
 1. A method of supporting an object from a channel utilizing achannel clip formed of a single elongated wire shaped piece of metal orplastic, said piece having first and second ends and being shaped todefine a large cable receiving loop and two arms forming and extendingaway from said receiving loop in substantially the same direction andterminating at small retaining loops at each of said first and secondends, one arm being bent more than the other to position the receivingloop substantially to one side of the portions of the arms extendingbetween the receiving loop and the retaining loops, said methodcomprising the steps of:a) inserting the object to be supported into thereceiving loop; b) pressing the retaining loops together; c) aligningthe planes within which the retaining loops lie such that the planes areparallel with the channel; d) inserting the retaining loops into thechannel; and e) rotating the channel clip about 90° to secure theretaining loops within the channel.
 2. A channel clip for holding anelectrical cable and for insertion in a channel, which channel has aside exit generally defined by upper and lower abutments, the channelclip comprising an elongated wire shaped material, shaped to form areceiving loop for the cable, a pair of arms forming the loop andextending from the loop and having ends shaped to fit the channel, thearms having portions intermediate the receiving loop and the shaped endsfor engaging the upper and lower abutments, one of said arms beingsubstantially bent to position the receiving loop generally below theexit to the channel when the shaped ends are received in the channel.